How to get the earthworks right on your building site


Almost all types of building projects will require some type of earth moving. Whether you are putting up a house or creating the route for a new railway line it is unlikely that you can simply arrive on site and start building.

How earth moving contractors can help

If you are digging out a new canal or irrigation channel, than the need for earth works may be obvious, as it may be when you need to form the banks or cuttings of a new railway line — but even for something as routine as a new house, earth works are still needed. Before putting up any structure, there is always a need to remove the topsoil and get down to the earth that is more structurally capable. There may also be the need to excavate basements or to create a structural fill to support a floor before house structure can be formed. For any of these earth works, you will need to engage the services of earth moving contractors.

Working with earth moving contractors

No contractor will be able to arrive on your site and start moving earth immediately. It is important to think about the role of earth moving contractors in your planning at an early stage, since there will need to be detailed topographical surveys conducted to determine exactly which earth needs moving, how much of it needs moving, and where it will go before work can start.

Creating your earthworks

If you are bringing earth onto your site, you must consider the type of earth you will use. The soil will need to be analyzed to determine whether or not it has the required strength to bear whatever will be placed on top of it. It may be necessary for an engineer to determine which quarries are suitable and can be used to supply the needed earth.

Drainage is another area that will be of importance for earth moving contractors. Rain or waterlogged soil can cause serious damage to earthworks, so installing sufficient drainage into the completed earthworks will be vital. You will need to consider not only the moisture content of the soil, but also the compaction level of the soil needed to ensure the stability of the completed earthworks. The earthwork will need to be inspected by the engineering team to ensure that maximum compaction has been achieved before further work is allowed to continue.

When you need earthworks on your site, you must discuss your requirements with the earth moving contractors to ensure that they will be able to achieve exactly what you need in a safe and efficient manner. Always speak to them at the earliest possible stage so that you can be confident the engineering team will have enough time to gather all the information they need before work commences.

 

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Demolishing the dunny

We've had an outdoor dunny building at the corner of our block, which was there from before the time that this area was even connected to the sewer. We've been battling the council to get it knocked down for years, and they've finally agreed it can go. It's actually a much bigger job than I realised, as we have to get in some heavy construction equipment to excavate the old septic tank. I thought keeping a track of what was involved in the project and what equipment you need might be useful for other home owners looking to knock down their old dunnies.

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